The Trigg County Board of Education accepted last week a bid from Paducah-based A & K Construction to renovate the elementary school, a project which is to cost just under $1 million.

“These are a little bit higher than our original estimates,” said Bruce Nelson of JKS Architects and Engineers, which is overseeing the entire project. “It’s really hard right now to hit the nail on the head.”

Nelson said he is confident the bid is a competitive and fair one, as three of the five bids from construction firms were very close — indicative, he said, of today’s construction market, which hasn’t been immune from the increased costs stemming from high-priced gasoline.

The project will repair the school’s roof, replace and remove an HVAC system and replace existing walls in the lower portion of the school.

Nelson said construction is to last eight weeks, beginning May 27.

“The time schedule is extremely tight,” he said.

To ensure the project is completed by time school begins in August, A & K Construction will be given the option to begin working in five unoccupied classrooms after school hours starting May 12.

Under the guidance of financial advisor Joe Nance, the board also approved the bonding plan for the $993,334 project.

For the rest of this article, please see this week's edition of The Cadiz Record.